While we can be sure of few things, one thing that is relentlessly in our face is mortality, is the fact things end. You and I die. All we know will die. And, it doesn’t take great analytic powers to notice that cultures themselves end. Even stars die. So, we would be foolish indeed to think our lives are some exception. We. All. Die. What I find interesting is that while in the past the destruction of human cultures was... Read more

In the Biyanlu, the Twelfth century anthology of Zen koans, the Blue Cliff Record, case fifty-five, “Daowu’s Condolences” we hear how “Daowu and Jianyuan went to a house to express condolences.” In John Tarrant & Joan Sutherland’s translation the story continues… Jianyuan rapped on the coffin and asked, ‘Living or dead?’ “Daowu said, ‘I can’t say either living or dead.’ “Jianyuan asked, ‘Why can’t you say?’ “Daowu said, ‘I can’t say! I can’t say!’ “On the way home, Jianyuan said,... Read more

Once there was a disciple of a Greek philosopher who was commanded by his Master for three years to give money to everyone who insulted him. When this period of trial was over, the Master said to him: Now you can go to Athens and learn wisdom. When the disciple was entering Athens he met a certain wise man who sat at the gate insulting everybody who came and went. He also insulted the disciple who immediately burst out laughing.... Read more

Just had coffee with the president of the congregation I’m currently serving as interim minister. I not only like him, I admire him. I think our time together has made me a tiny bit better person. And, I’m having this amazing feeling washing over me how this part of my life is slipping away more rapidly than sand through spread fingers. This was our last visit before my last Sunday before I really do end my life as a parish... Read more

“This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the... Read more

It was on this day in 1929 that Mickey Mouse, unlike many other stars of the silent film era, made his successful cross over to talkies. While there were nine films featuring the plucky mouse before this one, here, for the first time he speaks. The Karnival Kid also introduces Minnie Mouse (no relation, one assumes), his love interest for the next eighty-seven (and counting) years… Read more

Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was born on this day in 1909. One of the greats. No doubt… Read more

It was on this day in 1431 that a girl who had been bothered by visitations from various angels importuning her to raise an army, did so, proved to be a passible general, at least for a bit, was ambushed, captured, given a fixed up trial by the people she had been beating, convicted of miscellaneous noxious stuff, cross dressing being a big part of it, was duly burned at the stake. Read more

CLOUDS OF WITNESSES A Memorial Day Meditation on Abraham Lincoln, the American Republic, and the Great Dream of Human Possibility James Ishmael Ford 29 May 2016 Pacific Unitarian Church Rancho Palos Verdes, California Jan and I’ve been to this nation’s capital four times. One of the few things we’ve done every time was visit the Lincoln memorial. If we go again, one of the few things we will surely do is visit that shrine. And it is a shrine. I... Read more

Ian Lancaster Fleming was born on this day in 1908. He was a journalist and at one time a British naval intelligence officer who turned his hand to spy novels and created one of the great franchises of the genre. The Bond catalog includes a dozen novels and two volumes of short stories. Two of the Bond novels were published after Fleming’s death showing once again there really are gifts that keep on giving. Pastiches and sequels by other hands... Read more